Work on the huge Port Hedland to Telfer Gas Pipeline is progressing well for McConnell Dowell who hope to complete the project before Christmas and the onset of the wet season. It has required nine repeaters to provide complete project coverage for the 400 odd kilometres from Port Hedland to the Telfer Gold Mine. Telephone and data systems have been provided for the camps and TV has been brought in via satellite. As usual, mobile and portable radios and satellite phones are part of the Nixon Communications package. The job was severely disrupted by Cyclone Fay, with flooding and damage to the right-of-way causing delays and then realignment of the pipeline due to prolonged flooding, long after the passage of the cyclone. Nixon Pipeline Supervisor Tim Atkinson was kept busy relocating and servicing equipment so the job could resume as soon as weather conditions permitted.

The North Queensland Gas Pipeline (NQGP) has, on the other hand, been blessed with marvellous, fine weather and in early September Nixon technicians relocated equipment from Camp 3 at Ayr to Townsville for the client, Enertrade. It will be utilised there until completion of the project, expected in late October. Nixon Communications have provided all communications for the camps north of Moranbah, at Collinsville and Ayr, including telephone systems and data systems via the Iterra satellite network. As usual, TV was also provided for these remote camps by use of the Nixon camp TV system, with all equipment completely installed and relocated during camp shifts throughout the project.

The Burnett Dam, being built by Macmahon near Childers, is another project utilising Nixon’s construction communications equipment. Not as long as the usual pipeline projects, this job requires only two repeaters to cover Bundaberg, the camp located at Childers, the dam construction site and Mingo Crossing, where a bridge is being constructed and the road realigned. On site, phone, fax, mobile and portable equipment have been provided, and the job is progressing well.

Bauhinia Rail from Blackwater to Rolleston in western Queensland has required six radio repeaters to cover the project, providing channels for Abi Group, John Holland and Queensland Rail. Nixon technicians have installed all telephone and data systems for the two camps, plus provided the Nixon satellite TV system, portable and mobile radios.

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Two powerline projects, Lillyvale to Broadsound Power Line in Central Queensland and the Millmerran to Middle Ridge Power Line near Towoomba are also utilising Nixon Communications’ equipment and expertise to provide all their construction communication needs.

The year has also seen the completion and demobilisation of a number of pipeline projects throughout Australia. Delco’s Kambalda to Esperance project was demobilised in Western Australia, as was SEA Gas for Spie Capag Lucas in South Australia and BassGas for Lucas in Victoria.

As 2004 rapidly moves towards its conclusion, Nixon Communications looks forward to being intimately involved in providing the construction communication requirements of pipeline projects throughout Australia yet again in 2005.

Find Nixon Communications on the web at www.nixon.com.au